Mukhriz withdraws defamation suit after apology from Najib's ex-aide

Najib Abdul Razak’s former press secretary, Tengku Sariffuddin Tengku Ahmad, today apologised to Kedah menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir for alleging that he was conspiring to topple the then-BN administration two years ago.

Sariffuddin’s statement was read before Kuala Lumpur High Court Justice Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim.

"I apologise and express regret for the four statements issued which are not accurate and could be misinterpreted," he said.

The Bersatu leader had sued Sariffuddin for defamation in 2016 over four press statements the latter issued, alleging among others that he was conspiring with his father Dr Mahathir Mohamad to topple the then-BN administration and become prime minister.

Following the apology, Mukhriz’s lawyer Mohd Haniff Khatri Abdulla said his client would withdraw the suit with no liberty to file afresh.

"No order is made as to costs of the withdrawal, " he said, which was later confirmed by Sariffuddin's lawyer Jahaberdeen Mohd Yunos.

The four statements were made between April 15 to April 26, 2016.

Sariffuddin expressed regret over the negative implication caused by the statement issued.

He further congratulated Mukhriz for becoming the Kedah menteri besar in the 14th general election and said that the latter would run the state with full responsibility.

"I hope that Mukhriz would accept my apology and the full retraction and content of all the statements made," he said.

In his suit, Mukhriz had claimed that the statements by Sariffuddin that he was conspiring with his father and former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, to topple a lawful government, painted a picture that he was “crazy for power: and would do anything to achieve his ambition to become prime minister, including cheating, which is against the democratic process." - Mkini